Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had a narrow escape when twin blasts ripped through her motorcade in the port city of Karachi leaving 165 people dead and over 200 injured.

There was a grenade explosion followed by a huge blast just about 10-15 ft away from the armoured truck in which 54 year-old Bhutto was sitting as the homecoming procession, which was moving through Karachi roads thronged by thousands of supporters, reached the Karsaz area of the city at around midnight, police said.

Bhutto escaped unhurt and was rushed from the site of the blasts to Bilawal House, her home in Karachi, Pakistan People's Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar said, adding, "Bhutto is safe and taken to her home."

The blasts occurred as Bhutto's motorcade of dozens of vehicles neared the Karsaz area of the city. Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said the toll was expected to rise.

Dozens of PPP supporters, who were dancing around Bhutto's truck and police personnel, were among the injured. Bodies and body parts lay strewn around while people helped the injured into vehicles and rushed them nearby hospitals.

A cameraman of ARY TV channel was among the dead and several journalists were injured.